Mother of children killed in carjacking dies

The funeral for the three children killed in the North Philadelphia carjacking. (TOM GRALISH/Staff Photographer)

By Robert Moran and Aubrey Whelan, Inquirer Staff Writers

Posted: August 10, 2014

Keisha Williams, the 34-year-old mother of three children killed late last month when a carjacked SUV crashed into them in North Philadelphia, died Thursday night at Temple University Hospital, officials said Friday morning.

Williams had been hospitalized in critical condition since three of her children - Keiearra Williams, 15; Thomas Reed, 10; and Terrence Moore, 7 - died on July 25.

Williams was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m., officials said.

Police said two men carjacked a Toyota 4Runner, sexually assaulted its driver, and drove at high speeds to Allegheny and Germantown Avenues, where they lost control of the car. The family had been selling fruit to raise money for a church.

The men, Jonathan Rosa, 19, and Cornelius Crawford, 24, were arrested and charged with murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, and related offenses. The District Attorney's Office said Friday each would be charged with another count of murder in Williams' death.

The Williamses' pastor, Elder Keith Goodman, said relatives were devastated by the loss, especially as she had appeared to be improving.

He said that in the week after being struck by the SUV, Williams had been able to open her eyes and squeeze a relative's hand. She seemed to respond to voices. But this week, her condition took a turn for the worse, he said.

"They're just overcome with grief," Goodman said.

The family had not told Williams her three children were dead, he said. They feared that in her condition - immobilized and unable to speak or even cry - the shock and pain would have overwhelmed her, he said.

A funeral for the children was held Monday. The family will hold a private funeral in the coming week, Goodman said.